AFTER an exhaustive audition process, WOW Youth Musical Theatre has cast the roles of Cosette and young Eponine for their summer production of Les Miserables.

Two girls will share each role during the show, which is being staged at the Nothe Fort overlooking Weymouth Harbour.

Cosette will be played by Clare Phelan and Emily Goodwin, while Lucy Scott and Imogen Gray will share the role of Eponine.

The production will use Weymouth's historic fortress as a backdrop and stage set for the story, set in revolutionary France.

WOW choral master Janet Stockley said: "The standard of audition from these young performers was so high it made our job almost impossible. The young ladies we have selected are just phenomenal and I can't wait to see them on stage at the Nothe."

She added: "The nice thing is that two of the young ladies are already linked to WOW. Emily Goodwin, who will play one of the Cosettes and Lucy Scott, who is sharing the role of Eponine, both have siblings in the group."

With the two male leads of Jean Valjean and Javert still played by Josh Rose and Lewis Asquith, the backbone of the production remains the same.

Shakira Brading, who plays innkeeper's wife Madame Thenardier with blowsy gusto, has a new husband to deal with, but Alex Foot is up for the task and the comedy between them is spellbinding.

Beth Rose recreates the lovesick Eponine with her heart-stopping solo On my Own.

Completing the love triangle and taking on new roles are Jack Goodwin and Jenny Galloway playing Marius and grown-up Cosette, both performers stepping into principal roles with WOW for the first time.

Grace Osborne was simply made to play Fantine: with her crystal-clear voice she makes you feel every ounce of pain this character goes through, and Josh Brunell will be bringing a little bit of cheekiness to the proceedings as he takes on the role of Gavroche.

Janet added: "These principal roles are, as always, supported by a hugely talented cast. This really is going to be a production not to be missed. Staged entirely outside in the atmospheric Nothe Fort it is a once in a lifetime experience not just for the performers but for the audience also.

"When the Nothe Fort approached us to perform Les Miserables - Schools Edition we thought it would be a simple job recreating the show. But with many older members moving on to drama schools and university or not being able to do this show due to exams we have had to re-cast quite a few parts and reset quite a few scenes. This has resulted in us having a new show, which is very exciting."

Tickets for this production which runs from Wednesday, July 30 until Sunday, August 3 at 7.30pm, are available from Stars Dancewear, situated upstairs in the Colwell Centre.